Daily Madden: NFL Could Learn From World Cup Pageantry

A Cameroon fan blows a horn in the rain during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Mexico and Cameroon at Estadio das Dunas on June 13, 2014 in Natal, Brazil. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – Mexico meets Cameroon and Spain faces the Netherlands in the World Cup Friday, a day after Brazil defeated Croatia 3-1 in the opening match.

“One thing that’s always impressed me is how involved and passionate the fans are, and colorful, and we don’t have that in the NFL,” John Madden told the KCBS Radio morning crew. “That’s where we could learn, that there can be more pageantry and more enjoyment of the game at the game.”

Madden said the NFL needs to find ways to attract more fans to the stadium.

“If you look at pro football, it’s so popular and it’s grown to be so big, and the ratings are so high, and making so much money and selling everything. And the only thing that is trending toward decline is the live gate, people that go to the game… They always talk about enhancing the fan experience, and they have to do that or they’re going to lose crowds. And if you lose crowds at the game, then it’s not the same on television or it’s not the same anywhere.” (7:50)

Daily Madden

(Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM.)

John Madden

John Madden began his pro football coaching career in 1967 as the Oakland Raiders' linebackers coach. After two seasons, he was elevated to head coach. At 32 years of age when he was hired, he became the youngest head coach in the American Footba...